YEA Lesson Library
The Right Choice
About This Lesson
Using Jesus' interaction with Mary and Martha, this lesson teaches that we need to carefully evaluate our priorities, putting God first.
Scriptures
Job 23:12
Psalm 119:9-10
Isaiah 55:6-9
Amos 5:4
Matthew 22:37-40
Luke 10:38-42
Luke 12:31-34
John 14:23-31
1 Peter 2:1-2
The Lesson
Have you ever tried to find that perfect gift for a friend who seems to have everything? After racking your brain, you know an ordinary gift will not work for this special occasion. You need something very special to make the statement this gift needs to make. You’ve shopped the mall and not a thing has caught your eye. Even the specialty stores and boutiques don’t have what you hoped to find.
Don’t despair, there’s a gift you have overlooked. It may not seem expensive, but it will work. This gift has great value, but with no price tag! There’s no problem with the size, because one size fits all. It’s the ideal gift—it’s yourself! Jesus got such a gift from one of His friends.
Jesus journeyed with His disciples to Jerusalem. They came to a village where His friends, Mary and Martha, welcomed them into their home. Martha was the busy type who just couldn’t sit still. She always appeared to be a little nervous. She was preparing a big dinner and was unnecessarily fretting with its perfection.
While Martha saw that every dish not only tasted its best, but was served in a beautiful manner, Mary sat on the floor listening to Jesus talk. It upset Martha that Mary wasn’t helping in the kitchen. “Mary has socialized long enough,” Martha thought. She went to Jesus and said, “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come help me.”
Martha was surprised by Jesus’ answer. She expected Him to send Mary running to the kitchen to help. But Jesus said, “Martha, dear friend, you are upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and I won’t take it away from her.”
What did Mary discover? She had found a way to give herself to Jesus—to focus her full attention on Him. What Martha was doing wasn’t wrong, but Mary did the more important thing. Martha was busy concerning herself with things, while Mary seized the day she had with Jesus. She had an opportunity to listen and learn from her Savior. Nothing took priority over that. You should spend time at the feet of Jesus, but there is also a time to help your mother in the kitchen as well.
Mary and Martha each had a choice. Martha chose to fret and stew over her meal, while Mary understood the value of being taught by the Master. She gave herself, her full focus and attention, to what Jesus had to say.
What lesson can you learn from Jesus’ friends? Hospitality is good, but there are choices that are better. We must have the right priority. Time spent giving your full, focused attention to Jesus is the better choice. Sit at His feet and learn everything you can from your Master.
Just like Mary and Martha, you have a choice. What are your priorities? Will you give yourself, your complete focus, love, and attention to Jesus? Fretting and stewing over physical things, like Martha did, doesn’t bring peace and contentment. Mary’s choice gave a greater reward.
Student Prayer
Dear Father,
It’s so easy to get busy, like Martha, doing a bunch of physical things and overlooking the most important thing of all. Time spent with you in prayer and Bible study are most important choices. Help me to get my priorities straight and to keep them that way.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Job 23:12
Monday: 1 Peter 2:1-2
Tuesday: Luke 12:31-34
Wednesday: Amos 5:4
Thursday: Isaiah 55:6-9
Friday: John 14:23-31
Saturday: Matthew 22:37-40
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain that they must set priorities and make the right choice.
2. Illustrate how Mary made a better choice than Martha.
3. Describe what the better choice would have been for Martha and for them.
Topics & Themes
Bible Study
Jesus, His Ministry
Mary and Martha
Prayer
Priorities
Putting God First
Relationship With God
Reward
Treasure
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students and teacher’s books, music player and CD/cassette tape of the song and songbook
How to Teach This Lesson
By sequentially following the questions laid out below, you will be well equipped to stay on track, complete every section and meet the objectives of this lesson.
What would be your plan of action if Jesus was scheduled to visit your home. Do you think Jesus would enjoy a good meal? Why?
Why do you think Jesus preferred that Mary spend time listening to Him rather than Martha spending her time preparing a delicious meal? Do you think what Martha was doing was wrong? Why do you feel that way?
What lessons did you learn from Martha? She was more concerned about the physical than learning at Jesus’ feet. What lessons did you learn from Mary? Mary loved to be with Jesus and learn everything she could.
Are you more like Mary or Martha? Allow each student to say who they are more like and why. Ask one of the students to read John 6:35 aloud.
What does that tell you about Mary’s priorities? She had discovered what was really important.
How do your priorities determine the choices you make? You do the things that are important to you. What about your thoughts? What does that say about them? You are what you think.
Would you say that your thoughts determine your priorities? Yes. Are your choices determined by the things that are important to you?
Ask one of the students to read Matthew 6:33 aloud. What two things does this show that your priorities should be? Give Christ first place in your life and live as He wants you to live.
What are the benefits you will receive if you seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first? God will take care of you.
What did Mary gain from sitting at Jesus’ feet and learning from Him? Jesus loved her for it. He even had her deed, with her name, included in the Bible.
How can you sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him? You do this when you study your Bible, when you hear a sermon from God’s ministers and in Sabbath School.
Why is prayer without Bible study not enough? You’re talking with God, but you’re missing the other side of the relationship when He talks with you.
Who can benefit most from listening to God? We all can.
Can you really give God your undivided attention when you’re driving down the street and trying to pray at the same time? No! Do you think it is wrong to pray and drive at the same time? No! But praying while you drive is no substitute for kneeling before God in a private place each day and giving Him your full attention.
How often should a Christian pray? Have one of the students read 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Ask one of the students to read Psalm 55:17 aloud. Many times in the Psalms David mentioned praying in the morning. What advantage do you think there is to praying in the morning? You begin your day acknowledging that God is Supreme and that you need and want His help. You can live that day with confidence that God will be with you.
What lessons have you learned from Mary and Martha? What kinds of changes will this lesson make in your life?
Remind the students that next week they are expected to be able to recite the books of the New Testament. Have an award for those students who successfully recite the names of the books.
Teacher-Directed Activity
Even though YEA materials are copyrighted, we give you permission to make copies of the activity for new students, visitors and for the teenagers who forgot their YEA books. Make a few extra copies of “Choices” in the student’s book. Ask the students to turn to page 31 in their books. Have the students stand in a semicircle and you stand where everyone can see you. Explain that this is a responsive reading. You will read the teacher’s part and they should read aloud in unison the student’s part.
REACH Activity
Memory Verse Spotlight:
Find the meaning of “seek” as it is used by the psalmist. Use the Bible and concordance to locate Scriptures that explain how to seek God. Write down the Scriptures for future reference.
Where in the World?
Mary knew where she needed to be: at the feet of Jesus, her Master! What do you think it would have been like to sit and hear Jesus teach? Whenever we open our Bible and study, we are symbolically at His feet. What would you have wanted to hear Jesus talk about and teach? Find the Scripture to support your choice and share it with others.
They Did What Back Then?
Jesus was welcomed into the home of Mary and Martha, and He visited there more than once. They offered Jesus hospitality and friendship as well as meals. What kind of food do you think they might have served Jesus? Research the food of the area or region in which Mary and Martha lived. Write a menu of a selection of those foods that Jesus may have eaten at their house. Then write a menu of what you might serve Jesus today if He were to visit your home. How are the menus the same? Different?
Making It Mine
What do you devote time to? Keep track. Chart how you spend your time for 24 hours. Look at your time allocation. Of all your activities, what has lasting value? What will be important to you in 15 years? Write a prayer in your Bible notebook asking for God’s wisdom and guidance in the things you choose to do.
Worldview Collisions (see introductory information for an explanation)
A biblical worldview says a person has value because he/she belongs to God, that is, who he/she is in Christ. Other worldviews say a person has value because of what he/she can do. The more contributions he/she makes to society, the more valuable that person is. Choose one example from the Old Testament (such as David, the youngest of his family), and one from the New Testament (i.e., 1 Corinthians 1:26-30), that highlight the value God attributes to a person and why.
Make a bookmark with a synopsis of the ideas (one from the Old Testament on one side and one from the New Testament on the other side). Decorate and laminate with clear contact paper. Use a paper punch to tie a ribbon onto one end. Put this bookmark in your Bible as a reminder every time you pick up your Bible that your value is in your relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Questions
As you’re working through the YEA lesson, Daily Devotionals, doing the activity, or reading the Bible, be sure to write down any questions you have. That way you’ll remember to ask someone. Also remember to share the really interesting things you’re learning with family and friends.
Song
“I Saw the Light,” is on page 93 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Ask one of the students to lead in prayer.
Printable Pages
